Coursera is the best global education company for most learners who want university and employer certificates in one subscription, with Coursera Plus at $399 per year. Khan Academy is the best free option, with core courses at $0, while Udemy is the best low cost subscription at $13 per month on annual billing for a large course library. A unique fact that changes the choice is that Udemy has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Coursera since 11 May 2026, yet Coursera Plus and the Udemy Personal Plan remain separate subscriptions with separate prices.
This list covers companies that serve learners in many countries, not one local school or one narrow subject. Some sell a subscription, some sell one course at a time, and some sell textbooks, tests, and school services. The right pick depends on the credential you need, the subject you study, and the way you like to learn. Use the table above to narrow the field, then read the plan limits for the two or three names that fit your goal.
On this page
Best global education companies: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coursera | University and employer certificates | $399 per year | Free trial (7 days) | Visit |
| 2 | Udemy | Low cost course library | $13 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 3 | Khan Academy | Free school and test prep | $0 for core courses | Yes | Visit |
| 4 | edX | Named university certificates | $90 to $300 per verified course | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | Duolingo | Daily language practice | quote only | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | Pearson | Textbooks, tests, and qualifications | quote only | No | Visit |
| 7 | Chegg | Homework and textbook help | quote only | No | Visit |
| 8 | LinkedIn Learning | Work skills with a career profile | quote only | Free trial (1 month) | Visit |
The 8 best best global education companies, in detail
Coursera
Best for: University and employer certificates
Coursera Plus gives one subscription for more than 10,000 courses, Projects, Specializations, and Professional Certificate programs in data science, business, computer science, health, and humanities. The regular price is $399 per year, and the page opened on 12 November 2026 showed a limited offer of $239 for 12 months for new subscribers, with renewal at $399 per year unless cancelled. Choose Coursera when you want a certificate with a named issuer and you plan to take more than one course in a year.
- Do not choose it for a single short course if a one time purchase costs less.
- Check the course page for Plus inclusion and the certificate type before you enrol.
Pros
- Access to more than 10,000 courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificate programs in one subscription
- certificates come from universities and employers named on the course page
Cons
- The $239 promotional price for 12 months renews at $399 per year unless cancelled
- some degrees and some courses sit outside Coursera Plus
Udemy
Best for: Low cost course library
Udemy is a marketplace where instructors set course prices and learners can buy single courses or join the Personal Plan. The Personal Plan starts at $13 per month, billed monthly or annually, with cancel anytime, and it covers more than 28,000 courses. Single course prices vary by instructor, and sale prices change often, so the subscription only wins when you finish courses at a steady pace.
- Choose Udemy when you want practical skills across many subjects and you like to learn in short bursts.
- The Personal Plan suits learners who take two or more courses a month from the selected set.
- Do not choose it for one course only, because a single purchase may cost about the same as one month of the plan.
Pros
- Personal Plan starts at $13 per month on annual billing and covers more than 28,000 courses
- single courses can be bought one at a time with lifetime access to that course
Cons
- The Personal Plan covers a selected set of more than 28,000 courses, not the full marketplace
- the month to month price is higher and varies by country
Khan Academy
Best for: Free school and test prep
Khan Academy is a nonprofit platform with a stated mission to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Its site states that it is available in more than 190 countries and in more than 55 languages, with 840 or more free courses for K-12 and early college. It is the College Board official SAT prep partner, and it also hosts free official LSAT and MCAT prep.
- A free account saves progress.
- Choose Khan Academy first for school maths, science, and test prep, and for families who need a free option with no subscription.
- Do not choose it when you need a certificate for a job application or credit toward a degree, because it issues no course certificates.
Pros
- Core courses are free for learners, teachers, and families, with 840 or more free courses from pre-K to early college
- official test prep is included at no charge
Cons
- Khan Academy is not an accredited school and its courses carry no formal certificate or degree credit
- the Khanmigo AI assistant is a separate optional charge for learners and parents
edX
Best for: Named university certificates
edX sells courses one at a time, with no all-you-can-learn subscription for individual learners. The official help page states that there is no cost for taking edX open courses on the free audit track, which does not offer certificates or graded assignments. The fee for the verified track usually ranges between $90 and $300, and the exact price appears on the course enrolment page.
- Professional certificates, MicroMasters programs, and degrees cost more.
- Choose edX when one named university course matters more than a large library, and when a verified certificate will help your application or your work
- Do not choose the verified track unless you need the certificate and the graded work, because the audit track gives the same lectures at no charge.
Pros
- Most open courses can be audited free, with lectures and reading included
- verified certificates carry the name of the issuing university
Cons
- The free audit track does not offer certificates or graded assignments, and audit access is time limited
- Professional Education, Boot Camps, and Executive Education cost more
Duolingo
Best for: Daily language practice
Duolingo is a free language learning app with short lessons, streaks, and practice games. The free tier covers the same lessons as the subscription tiers, and the subscription mainly removes ads and limits. The Super page offers a one week free trial and a feature table for Free, Super, and Super Family, with no prices shown.
- Duolingo Max adds AI features such as Explain My Answer and video call roleplay, and it is not listed on every subscriber screen.
- Choose Duolingo when you want a daily habit for a new language and you like short lessons on a phone.
- The free tier is enough to test the method for several weeks.
- Do not subscribe until you have checked the price on your own checkout screen, because prices vary by platform, country, and account.
Pros
- Every course is free at the base level, with short daily lessons in languages, maths, and music
- Super adds no ads, unlimited energy, and offline lesson downloads
Cons
- Duolingo does not publish a price on its own website, so the price appears only inside the app or at checkout
- the Max tier with AI video call practice is app only and has no shown price
Pearson
Best for: Textbooks, tests, and qualifications
Pearson is a large education company that works across school, college, work, and language learning. Its products include Pearson+, MyLab, Mastering, Pearson VUE for professional certification and licensure, the Pearson Test of English, Connections Academy for tuition-free online school in the United States, and Pearson Online Academy. Pearson+ gives eTextbooks with audio, flashcards, and notetaking, plus study tools for students.
- Choose Pearson when you need a set textbook, a formal test, or a school service, rather than a general course library.
- Do not expect one subscription to cover every Pearson product, because each product has its own price and its own access rules.
- Check the exact product your school or employer names.
Pros
- Serves customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data
- Pearson+ brings eTextbooks with audio, notes, highlights, and bookmarks
Cons
- No single price covers the whole company, because textbooks, tests, and school services are priced per product
- district and school products need a sales conversation
Chegg
Best for: Homework and textbook help
Chegg is a study platform for college students, with textbook solutions, AI tutoring through CheggMate, maths solvers, and writing tools. The two main tiers are Chegg Study and Chegg Study Pack, with the Pack adding the maths solver, writing tools, and exam help. Textbook rentals now run through a separate marketplace partner, Valore, with prices tied to the book and the rental period.
- Choose Chegg when you are stuck on textbook problems and you want step by step explanations for your exact course book.
- The Study Pack suits students who also need maths and writing help in the same term.
- Do not subscribe for a whole year at the start, because the value depends on how many weeks you use it.
Pros
- Chegg Study gives step by step homework and textbook solutions
- Chegg Study Pack adds maths help, writing tools, and exam help in one bundle
Cons
- Chegg does not publish prices on its product pages, so the exact amount appears only when you begin sign up
- the former expert authoring question queue closed on 18 March 2026
LinkedIn Learning
Best for: Work skills with a career profile
LinkedIn Learning began as Lynda.com, which LinkedIn acquired in 2015 and rebranded as LinkedIn Learning in 2017. The library covers business, technology, and creative skills, with learning paths and certificates of completion. For an individual in the United States, the closest current option is LinkedIn Premium Career, which starts at $39.99 per month or $239.88 per year and includes LinkedIn Learning, with a one month free trial for eligible members.
- Choose LinkedIn Learning when your goal is work skills and you already use LinkedIn for jobs and networking.
- Check your workplace access first, because many employers already give staff access.
- Do not buy a separate Learning subscription without checking Premium Career, because that bundle is now the route for individuals.
Pros
- Courses cover business, technology, and creative skills, with certificates of completion that can be shown on a LinkedIn profile
- many employers already give staff access through a work account
Cons
- LinkedIn no longer sells a stand alone individual Learning subscription, so individual access now comes through LinkedIn Premium Career
- the Teams price is $379.88 per seat per year for up to 20 users
How we chose
We chose companies with a global reach, a real product that learners can buy or use now, and an official page that states what is included. Prices and plan limits in this article come from official vendor pricing pages and help pages opened on 12 November 2026. We did not test any tool hands-on. We did not use customer counts, awards, or review scores to rank the items. When a vendor hid the price behind sign in, checkout, or a sales conversation, we wrote quote only instead of copying a price from a third party page. The unique fact in this article is that Udemy has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Coursera since 11 May 2026, yet Coursera Plus and the Udemy Personal Plan remain separate subscriptions with separate prices.
Pick by budget and learning goal
| Learner | First pick | Cost to start | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| No budget, school subjects | Khan Academy | $0 for core courses | No certificate or degree credit |
| Low monthly budget, many subjects | Udemy | $13 per month (billed annually) | Only 28,000 or more selected courses are in the plan |
| One university certificate | edX | $90 to $300 per verified course | Audit track has no certificate or graded work |
| Many certificates in one year | Coursera | $399 per year (billed annually) | Promotional $239 first year renews at $399 per year |
| Daily language habit | Duolingo | quote only, free tier first | Price appears only at checkout |
| College textbook help | Chegg | quote only | Price appears only at sign up |
| Work skills and job search | LinkedIn Learning | quote only, 1 month free trial | Individual access now comes through Premium Career |
| Textbook, test, or school service | Pearson | quote only | Price is per product, not one subscription |
Frequently asked questions
Which global education company is best for most learners?
Coursera is the best pick for most learners who want certificates, because Coursera Plus covers more than 10,000 courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificate programs for $399 per year. Khan Academy is the best free pick for school subjects, and Udemy is the best low cost pick for practical skills at $13 per month on annual billing.
How much does Coursera Plus cost?
Coursera Plus costs $399 per year on the regular annual price. The page opened on 12 November 2026 showed a limited offer of $239 for 12 months for new subscribers, with renewal at $399 per year unless cancelled in account settings. The offer ends on 30 November 2026, and local currency pricing applies outside the United States.
Is Khan Academy really free?
Yes, the core courses on Khan Academy are free for learners, teachers, and families, with 840 or more free courses from pre-K to early college. The site states that it is a nonprofit funded by donors and partners, and that it is available in more than 190 countries and in more than 55 languages. The Khanmigo AI assistant is a separate optional charge for learners and parents.
Can I get a university certificate from edX without a subscription?
Yes, you can buy a verified certificate for one course at a time, with fees usually from $90 to $300 per course. The free audit track gives lectures and reading at no charge, but it does not offer certificates or graded assignments. Professional certificates, MicroMasters programs, and degrees are priced per program and cost more than a single verified course.
Why is Duolingo listed as quote only?
Duolingo does not publish a price on its own website, and its Super page lists Free, Super, and Super Family features with no numbers. The price appears only inside the app or at checkout, and it varies by platform, country, and account. The free tier covers the same lessons, so start free and only subscribe after you see the price on your own checkout screen.
Which pick suits work skills and a job search?
LinkedIn Learning suits work skills and a job search, because its courses cover business, technology, and creative skills, and certificates of completion can be shown on a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn no longer sells a stand alone individual Learning subscription, so individual access now comes through LinkedIn Premium Career, which starts at $39.99 per month or $239.88 per year.
Sources
- https://www.coursera.org/
- https://www.coursera.org/courseraplus
- https://www.udemy.com/
- https://www.udemy.com/pricing
- https://www.khanacademy.org/
- https://www.khanacademy.org/about
- https://www.edx.org/
- https://help.edx.org/edxlearner/s/article/What-does-it-cost-to-take-a-course?language=en_US
- https://www.duolingo.com/
- https://www.duolingo.com/super
- https://www.pearson.com/
- https://www.pearson.com/en-us/explore-pearson.html
- https://www.chegg.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.